Summary
Summary Highway Code - Road Signs
- Module
- Driving theory
- Institution
- Driving Theory
An in-depth look and summary of the highway code. Ideal for anybody learning to drive.
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Theory revisionGreen - primary route
Blue or white - motorway
Road signs
Non-primary
- Staggered junctions on non primary routes: A white sign with four non-primary
routes is called a staggered junction. Such routes may be for parking or a tourist
attraction
1. A white non-primary route is seen when approaching a junction and outlines
miles and lanes
- Junction with lane for turning right: A white non-primary route will show three
lanes - two going straight ahead whilst the third lane on the right is only for those
turning right - same in reverse with the left
- Lane reserved at junction: A white non-primary route sign will show a separating
junction half a mile ahead on the left lane, which is reserved for turning onto another
primary route
- Roundabouts with dedicated primary route lane: A white ‘non-primary’ route
direction sign which shows a roundabout with a dedicated route leading to a
motorway (white text on a green background) (with the motorways name being white
text on a blue background.) The other two routes are not primary
- Mini roundabout ahead: a mini roundabout will have exits to primary routes in two
separate directions. Primary routes are a white text on a green background. Marking
a stands for primary, whilst b stands for non-primary,
- On approach to junction: a white background highlighting the layour of the junction
- may include additional information such as marking a bridge.
- Sharp bend in main route ahead: highlights a sharp bend in the route ahead which
is connected to a minor road
- Directions and distance to destination: This is just a white non primary route sign
which gives the direction to a destination andd the speed as well as a route number,
- On approach to a junction: This sign will be seen on route to a junction and will
show the direction of various routes with their route number and distances to their
locations
- Direction of an alternative route: This sign is used to avoid travellers from driving
through more traffic heavier areas, ie, a town centre.
- Shopmobility: This is a shopping area approved by the National Federation of
Shopmobility, aka disabled friendly
- Route not shown on junction signs: A white sign showing a route at the junction
ahead - which will not be informed at said junction itself.
- Direction on minor routes: This sign will show the direction for traffic going to a
non-minor route whilst already on a non-minor route
- Junction to a small town: A white tourist sign which shows various symbols
referring to tourist facilities, ie, public toilets and patrol stations. This sign will be seen
when there is a junction ahead leading to a town/village that is not on the main route.
- Directions to a small town: This plain white sign will say the distance and direction
towards said town, and if offering local facilities, may be labelled as
,- Distance to services: All service signs are the same, with symbols demonstrating
facilities, however 24 hour ones will not be labelled, whilst others which are not 24
hours will say “not 24 hours.”
- Entrance or direction to services: this basic sign which only says services, directs
to an entrance or direction to a service area.
Primary
- Junction at crossroads: This green sign will say the junctions name on top of the
sign as well as a crossroad ahead between a primary route leading to a motorway. It
will also show two other non-primary routes and tourist attractions (these are in
brown.)
- Gantry mounted primary route: this sign simply states there is a junction ahead on
a primary route. The upper part of the sign will show inclining arrows in the direction
of side roads
- Named roundabout on a primary route: These roundabouts will typically lead to at
least two primary routes and one non-primary.
- Route confirmation: Following a junction, this sign will confirm the route’s
destination
- Primary route part of ring road: a green sign with a yellow border with a white r in
the centre. This tells the driver that this primary route will form part of a ring road -
these are mostly found in town centres
Motorway
- Junction leading to motorway: a blue motorway direction sign showing the symbol
of a motorway, route number, direction and destination. Junction number may
sometimes be on a black blackground
- Motorway junction gantry-mounted sign: motorway junction ahead identified by
the number shown on a black background
- ****Motorway exits gantry mounted signs: motorway exits ahead identified by the
number shown on a black background on a gantry mounted sign. These signs
represent two exits ahead as well as the exits distance.
- Termination of motorway at roundabout ahead: This sign shows the layout if a
roundabout with two exits to primary routes on a green background with their
numbers being in yellow. One exit will be non-primary and shown on a white
background.
- Keep apart two chevrons: drivers should keep the distance of two chevrons apart
from the car in front - this is also the two second gap.
- Temporary maximum speed limit: individual lanes may have independent speed
limits. These may be seen overhead or on the side of the motorway. These signs
have to pairs of amber lights that flash from top to bottom.
- Leave motorway at next exit: This temporary sign is used to tell drivers to leave the
motorway, due to an incident. The sign similarly includes amber signs which flash
from top to bottom
- Lane closures on the carriageway ahead: This sign tells of lane closures ahead.
Amber lights flash from top to bottom
- Closure of all lanes: this sign will be displayed at the entrance of motoeways to
warn traffic that all oncoming lanes are closed. A flashing red light will go from side to
side
, - Lane ahead closure: A red cross mounted above a carriageway means that said
lane is closed - these are found on smart motorways.
- Risk of fog ahead: This sign will be found above individual lanes or alongside. Said
signs may also be used to warn of ice. The signs will flash from top to bottom in
orange
- End of temporary restrictions: These appear at the end of individual lanes. The
signs mean that the previously seen restricted signs are no longer valid.
Tourism
- Holiday route: This will be a yellow rectangular sign with the letters HR in the centre
(holiday route.) This advises holiday makers towards to the best route.
- Junction to tourist attractions: The junction ahead leads to a town or a
geographical area with several tourist attractions.
- Route to be followed for tourist attraction: route to be followed at the junction
ahead for a tourist attraction not labelled on the sign itself.
- Roundabout ahead leading to tourist attraction: This sign shows the layout of the
roundabout ahead with detail of the different routes to different tourist attractions.
- Tourist information overnight accommodation: this sign shows the junction ahead
leads to a small town/ village which provides tourist information as well as overnight
accommodation. Said roads/ village are not part of the junction’s main route.
- Direction of route for pedestrians: this sign is for pedestrians going to a tourist
attraction - aka, found along a pathway
- Tourist attraction off motorway junction: this sign shows that the junction ahead
leads to a tourist attraction.
- Roundabout ahead from a motorway: This sign shows the roundabout ahead
comes from a motorway exit slip road to a tourist attraction.
- Junction ahead from a motorway: Junction ahead from a motorway exit slip road
to the tourist attraction.
Parking
- Distance to parking place: This sign would show the distance to a commercial
vehicles parking place with public toilets and telephones.
- Long stay: extended parking times
- Short stay: places which you would not be spending typically more than a few hours,
ie, shopping.
- Direction to parking place for shoppers: direction to a parking area for shoppers
with the labelled amount of parking spots available.
- Directions to alternative parking places: this sign shows multiple areas of parking
with the availability of parking spaces for each displayed below. They will use terms:
1. Spaces
2. Nearly full
3. Full
4. closed
- Direction to a lorry park: This sign shows the direction to a lorry park via a u-turn at
the roundabout ahead.
- Secured car park: This type of car park means that it has been approved by the
police
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